Mia Kirshner

MIA KIRSHNER

Date of Birth: January 25, 1975

"To be a good actress, you have to have a normal life. It's not real to stay in beautiful hotels, getting your hair and makeup done." - Mia Kirshner

Born in Toronto to a teacher and a journalist, Kirshner's initial interest in following in her father's footsteps as a journalist was channelled into acting after watching Scarlett O'Hara in Gone With the Wind. Kirshner began acting in grade school, but found the stage difficult to handle. "I have this fear of performing in public." She then made her professional debut in her early teens, accruing Canadian and American television credits before segueing into film.

Kirshner launched her career at the early age of 17, with provocative roles in two Canadian films - as a dominatrix in Love and Human Remains, and a schoolgirl stripper in Exotica. Using these films as a springboard, she proved her talent for diversity when she later appeared as a spoiled Russian princess in Anna Karenina and as a kinky mystic in The Crow sequel, The Crow: City of Angels.

Although her onscreen career was underway, she continued her education by attending McGill University to study 19th Century Russian Literature. Being an actress and a fulltime student proved difficult, as she was determined to separate the two worlds. In fact, the modest actress kept her film life to herself and avoided answering questions about her future.

In 1996, Kirshner landed a role in Mad City (1997) almost by accident. She arrived late for the audition, and was very nervous. So nervous in fact, that when she talked to the producer and director, she couldn't stop talking. Two days later, she landed the role of Laurie - a nervous, eager-to-please assistant to a top reporter played by Dustin Hoffman.

Since Mad City, she has had little trouble finding work, taking the time to pick and choose her projects. "Sissy Spacek told me the best advice I have received in this industry: The projects you turn down are just as important as the projects you accept. That has stuck with me. But at the same time, I remember that when the film comes out, I have to talk about it nd if I did not like it, I would not be able to sit in a room and talk about it passionately."

As a result, she has landed parts in indie films like Century Hotel and According to Spencer, big budget films such as Not Another Teen Movie and The Black Dahlia (2006), as well as guest roles on television series such as Wolf Lake, 24 and The Vampire Diaries. She can also be seen opposite Nick Stahl in the 2012 film 388 Arletta Avenue, a thriller about a young couple being watched by a mysterious stalker.

Presently living in Los Angeles, Kirshner loves to dance, and keeps in shape by taking classes in ballroom dancing, salsa and jazz.

Filmography:

388 Arletta Avenue (2012)
Miss Conception (2008)
The Black Dahlia (2006)
The Iris Effect (2004)
Party Monster (2003)
New Best Friend (2002)
Mary Jane's Last Dance (2001)
Now & Forever (2001)
Not Another Teen Movie (2001)
According to Spencer (2001)
Century Hotel (2001)
Cowboys and Angels (2000)
Dark Summer (2000)
Out of the Cold (1999)
Saturn (1999)
Mad City (1997)
Anna Karenina (1997)
The Crow: City of Angels (1996)
The Grass Harp (1995)
Murder in the First (1995)
Exotica (1994)
Cadillac Girls (1993)
Johnny's Girl (1993)
Love & Human Remains (1993)